@backstage/plugin-techdocs-node vulnerable to arbitrary code execution via MkDocs hooks
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 2 fixed, 1 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA, GitHub and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-94.
Summary
Backstage is an open framework for building developer portals, and @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node provides common node.js functionalities for TechDocs. In versions of @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node prior to 1.13.11 and 1.14.1, when TechDocs is configured with `runIn: local`, a malicious actor who can submit or modify a repository's `mkdocs.yml` file can execute arbitrary Python code on the TechDocs build server via MkDocs hooks configuration. @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node versions 1.13.11 and 1.14.1 contain a fix. The fix introduces an allowlist of supported MkDocs configuration keys. Unsupported configuration keys (including `hooks`) are now removed from `mkdocs.yml` before running the generator, with a warning logged to indicate which keys were removed. Users of `@techdocs/cli` should also upgrade to the latest version, which includes the fixed `@backstage/plugin-techdocs-node` dependency. Some workarounds are available. Configure TechDocs with `runIn: docker` instead of `runIn: local` to provide container isolation, though it does not fully mitigate the risk. Limit who can modify `mkdocs.yml` files in repositories that TechDocs processes; only allow trusted contributors. Implement PR review requirements for changes to `mkdocs.yml` files to detect malicious `hooks` configurations before they are merged. Use MkDocs < 1.4.0 (e.g., 1.3.1) which does not support hooks. Note: This may limit access to newer MkDocs features. Building documentation in CI/CD pipelines using `@techdocs/cli` does not mitigate this vulnerability, as the CLI uses the same vulnerable `@backstage/plugin-techdocs-node` package.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| backstage | backstage | before 1.13.11; = 1.14.0 | 1.13.11 | Patch available | CNA |
| — | @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node (npm) | 1.14.0 to before 1.14.1 | 1.14.1 | Patch available | GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf |
| — | @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node (npm) | before 1.13.11 | 1.13.11 | Patch available | GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf |
- backstage Vendorbackstage Affected before 1.13.11; = 1.14.0 Fixed in 1.13.11 Patch available CNA
- @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node (npm) Vendor— Affected 1.14.0 to before 1.14.1 Fixed in 1.14.1 Patch available GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf
- @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node (npm) Vendor— Affected before 1.13.11 Fixed in 1.13.11 Patch available GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf
Remediation
- Fix · CNA backstage (backstage) Fixed in 1.13.11
- Fix · GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node (npm) Fixed in 1.14.1 Advisory →
- Fix · GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node (npm) Fixed in 1.13.11 Advisory →
Red Hat 2 advisories
- RHSA-2026:6802 Released 2026-04-07 · Red Hat rating ImportantRed Hat Developer Hub 1.9.3 release.
- Red Hat Developer Hub 1.9 registry.redhat.io/rhdh/rhdh-hub-rhel9, registry.redhat.io/rhdh/rhdh-rhel9-operator
- RHSA-2026:6174 Released 2026-03-30 · Red Hat rating ImportantRed Hat Developer Hub 1.8.5 release.
- Red Hat Developer Hub 1.8 registry.redhat.io/rhdh/rhdh-hub-rhel9, registry.redhat.io/rhdh/rhdh-rhel9-operator
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Self-service automation portal 2 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat Developer Hub 1.8 | Fixed | RHSA-2026:6174 |
| Red Hat Developer Hub 1.9 | Fixed | RHSA-2026:6802 |
Not affected: 2 products
- Red Hat Developer Hub 1.8
- Red Hat Developer Hub 1.9
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-25153
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf
References
More Backstage vulnerabilities
- TI-2023-17988 Insecure sandbox in Backstage Scaffolder plugin CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
- TI-2026-69075 Sensitive information exposure in Backstage Scaffolder CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.6
- TI-2026-69061 Path traversal in Backstage Bitbucket pull-request scaffolder actions CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
- TI-2026-60083 Backstage: Improper input validation in TechDocs MkDocs configuration CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2026-69165 Backstage TechDocs config flaw allows code execution CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2026-69083 Code injection via MkDocs theme configuration in Backstage TechDocs CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
Sources
- CVE-2026-25153 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-25153 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-25153 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences